🎹 Why Premium Acoustic Pianos Are Better Than Digital 🎹
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
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Description:
Welcome back to Merriam Pianos! In our previous video, we explored why digital pianos are becoming increasingly popular, especially among those with prior acoustic piano experience. However, today we’re flipping the script. While digital pianos are undeniably convenient and impressive, a premium acoustic piano is irreplaceable in certain aspects. Let’s dive into the reasons why acoustic pianos will always hold a special place in the world of music.
Introduction:
In the last video, we discussed why digital pianos are turning heads and how they’ve started to overlap with acoustic pianos in some ways. But does that mean digital pianos are better? Absolutely not. The argument isn’t as simple as one being superior to the other. Instead, the most advanced digital pianos are now outperforming basic acoustics in certain areas, thanks to their convenience and features. However, when it comes to premium acoustic pianos, there are several reasons they will never be replaced by digital counterparts anytime soon.
1. Complex Audio Information & Harmonics:
At the top of the list is the science of sound. Acoustic pianos with high-quality strings, soundboards, and larger designs deliver more complex audio information to your ear. When comparing a concert A 440 note on the best digital piano versus an upper mid-range grand of the same brand, the acoustic piano produces dramatically more partials and harmonics.
2. Dynamic Range:
No digital piano, no matter how advanced, can match the dynamic range of a grand piano. Even the best digital pianos are only approaching the range of a 44-inch console upright. But when you move into larger pianos, like 52-inch uprights or 6-foot grands, the range of tone and volume from soft to loud far surpasses anything a digital piano can deliver.
3. Sound Source & Ambient Tone:
When you play an acoustic piano, the entire instrument resonates, creating an ambient sound source that envelops you in rich, multidirectional audio. In contrast, digital pianos rely on speakers-no matter how many speakers there are, they remain spot sources of sound.
4. Omnidirectional Sound:
Acoustic pianos don’t just project sound in one direction; they send sound in all directions. This means the acoustics of a room can dramatically affect how you perceive the piano’s tone. You’ll hear sound bouncing off the walls, the floor, the ceiling, and everything in between, creating a cascading effect that amplifies the listening experience.
5. Superior Acoustic Piano Action:
Even at the top tier of digital pianos, there’s no comparison to the craftsmanship of an acoustic piano’s action. Premium acoustic brands like C. Bechstein, Bösendorfer, and Fazioli invest hundreds of hours in regulating their actions to ensure perfection across all dynamic ranges. The precision and nuance of an acoustic piano action simply can’t be replicated by digital technologies.
6. The Soft Pedal Difference:
One rarely discussed but critical difference is the soft pedal. Most digital pianos either lack the proper sampling or don’t reproduce the authentic feel and sound alteration that comes from using the left pedal on an acoustic piano. On a grand piano, this pedal doesn’t just affect the tone; it alters your entire tactile relationship with the keys, which can be vital for finesse players. This is an area where digital pianos still fall short.
7. Longevity & Resale Value:
A great acoustic piano can last over a century, making it a multi-generational investment. Digital pianos, on the other hand, typically have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years, after which their resale value plummets. Acoustic pianos retain their value far longer, often serving as heirlooms passed down through families.
If you enjoyed this discussion, please like the video, subscribe to Miriam Pianos, and leave a comment sharing your thoughts or experiences with acoustic and digital pianos. Thank you for watching, and I look forward to bringing you more piano content soon!
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I have the privilege of owning a Shigeru Kawai EX, 9 foot piano, and it is heaven to play. In the past I owned a 7-footer. The sheer power of this piano, the sweetness of tone, the responsiveness, the dynamic range, the delicacy, I can’t describe. People who hear me play it in person say they have never heard a more beautiful piano. When I go out to gig, I have to use a digital keyboard, and I just can’t play the same way and it frustrates me. Having an acoustic grand has been a game changer in my life. I became almost totally disabled at the age of 15 and had to stop playing the piano because playing caused me to have intense muscle spams and more. Over the years, I tried to play again, but I couldn’t. In my 50s, I tried to play some digital keyboards and record because I could edit the bad playing, but it was torture. When I was 73 years old, I received a kind of internal guidance to buy an acoustic piano and only improvise instead of playing classical music. I found a way to play that worked for my body and the action was a revelation. The Shigeru Kawai has an action like butter. I don’t have to strain. I can barely touch the notes and fly around the keyboard. I am now 79 and just improvise and I actually perform. I’m shocked and am grateful. The SK EX in particular has given me a voice and allowed me to experience the joy of expressing myself spontaneously through music again. We have had to make a lot of sacrifices to buy this piano, but it’s been worth it. We are lucky to have been able to buy it. Your review was so helpful in explaining what I feel when I play my piano. It is a living experience.
I just visited your website read about how you began playing the piano again in your 70s. It really is an inspirational story for people who began playing piano again later in life.
Thank you for sharing your love of the most beautiful instrument ever made 💕 🎹
@@FingersKungfu That is beautiful. I'm so glad. I still have pain, but it doesn't stop me, and when I play I don't seem disabled or old to me or anyone. Please pass this on to anyone who needs this encouragement. Thank you so much for writing.
@@your_average_joe5781 Oh, I agree. But I could be a little prejudiced. haha. Your comment made me smile. Thanks for sharing it.
This is such a wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing Beth! We are so happy to hear that you have fallen in love with your Shigeru Kawai SKEX and that you have found a way to continue your love/passion for music and piano. Thank you for the kind words! We're glad you enjoyed the review. Congratulations on your SKEX and happy playing! :)
Ask the neighbors which one they prefer, or even other family members.
LOL
Haha this is an excellent point! ;)
My neighbours seem to enjoy hearing my piano as they pass by the house. But yes I don’t practice at midnight.
Silent piano is the solution.
If your neighbors eat crap and prefer trash in their meal and you think that is a good example to follow, that says alot about you.
Just want to come in here to compliment the presentation. I've been seeing a lot of piano stores that have a page lately thanks to the algorithm. And while most of them have interesting topics, nice pianos and good players, none of them nail the presentation. They often stumble over words, are very obviously looking at a whiteboard or prompter with text or deliver a monotone narration.
This channel far outperforms any other channel in most aspects, but especially the presentation. Chapeau.
Thanks a million! We really appreciate the kind words and support. We're glad you stumbled upon our TH-cam channel. Thanks again and all the best! :)
I appreciate your videos on this topic. You were just explaining why digitals are becoming more popular, not that they are inherently better.
Thank you so much! We're glad you have been enjoying Stu's video reviews on these topics. :)
Exactly. The thing is ... when it comes to music ... once an instrument has 'adequate' substance with its timbre, richness, quality of sound etc ..... its power in delivering music of outstanding quality is second to none, especially when paired (teamed) up with an experienced 'driver'. This applies to digital and acoustic.
Also ... remember ... many acoustic pianos have clunking and mechanical sounds that can undo what other 'benefits' the fully mechanical (aka acoustic) pianos offer .... such as sitting up close and hearing the clunks etc. Whereas digitals usually won't produce the clunking, thumping etc.
I am very lucky to have inherited my grandfather's piano, which I have played since early childhood. He bought the instrument with his first journeyman's salary in 1925 (it was 4 years old at the time...). He paid off the piano over several years. No other instrument will ever be able to replace the emotional connection to this piano (even though it is not technically perfect at all). And music is pure emotion for me...
Absolutely! I totally understand that. The emotional connection we form with specific instruments is quite powerful. Thank you so much for sharing! We appreciate it. :)
Nice presentation as always! Please do a video on monitors for digital pianos.
Thank you
Thanks so much! I will pass the suggestion along to our production team. We will do our best to tackle that for you! :)
My grandmother gave me an upright piano (don’t remember the make) in the ‘60s and I always got a special feeling when I played. After high school I had no piano and in 2000 bought an Alesis keyboard. It was fun but I was searching for that feeling. About a year ago I bought a Kawai K500. It was a beautiful sound but still no feeling. I went searching grand pianos and found a 2002 Seiler 186. I LOVE the feeling I get when I play. I couldn’t be happier.
Finding that intangible magic is always the main goal. It is hard to find sometimes, but I'm glad that you found it in your Seiler 186! Congrats and happy playing! :)
Seiler is a good choice. I started playing in the late 60s and we had a beautiful Rönisch made when Rönisch was a good brand. I'd love to own a good acoustic piano again. I looked at some Seilers when I was less of a nomad, and they were nice. But nowadays I can't house an acoustic piano.
More recently, every acoustic upright I've performed/practised on has a disappointing action, as compared to my two digital pianos. Unlucky? Maybe. Their actions simply could not keep up with me. Maybe one day I'll be able to accommodate an acoustic piano again, but thanks to dps, the bar has been raised, and any acoustic piano will have to be really good to make me buy it.
Hi Stu. Thanks. Both videos have the high quality information that we just don’t get anywhere else. Thanks again.
Hi! Brent here! You're very welcome! We're glad you enjoyed these videos. :)
This is an excellent follow-up and counterpoint to your last video. A really good acoustic piano is definitely hard to beat, and a huge point made here is the area of sounding board coupled with the surrounding atmosphere. As much as I am amazed with the beautiful recordings I can get with some newer digital models, they just can't fill a space with sound like a good acoustic piano can, and the quirks that make playing an acoustic piano almost like interacting with a living, breathing thing can be magical!
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the mini-series. :)
That is very well said! An acoustic piano is very much a living, breathing thing. Thank you for tuning in and sharing your thoughts. We appreciate it!
First I am still, at best, I have been playing the piano as a hobby, for 50 years.
Back in college, 50 years ago, I was just beginning to play the piano as a hobby having been classically trained as a violinist for well over a decade. The university had a Steinway baby grand that was just available for anyone to play. I really loved that piano. I knew, even then, that it was something very special.
Today I have a 15 year old Yamaha digital grand piano. It was a top of the line back when new. Playing it takes me back 50 years to that Steinway. No, they are not the same. But the Yamaha is, no doubt, the best piano that I will ever own.
I believe that the Yamaha will be around in 100 years. It may require servicing, replacing electrolytic capacitors etc. But I do think that it will definitely outlive me.
Thanks for these videos.
You're very welcome! Thank you for sharing! I know what you mean, but it is great to hear that you have been thoroughly enjoying your Yamaha digital. It sounds like it has been serving you very well musically. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
What model digital grand?
Of course a premier acoustic grand piano is going to be superior to any digital piano. However if you don’t have the room,budget and or understanding family, neighbors digital pianos are a fabulous alternative.
For sure! There are other factors beyond just musical preference to consider. :)
Premium is the key word. Most people don't have a top of the line acoustic grand.
That is certainly a fair comment to make.
More to the point, very few people can *afford* a "premium" (not even top of the line) acoustic. Rather than comparing a premium digital to a premium acoustic, it might be more helpful to say something like: "For $15,000 - $20,000, you can get one of these three top-of-the-line digitals, or one of these three lower/mid-level acoustics. Which is the better choice for: 1) a beginner, 2) an intermediate, or 3) an advanced/professional pianist?" Whaddya think, guys? 🙂
@@SeaDrive300You're making a good point except that dps depreciate more quickly, so they should be cheaper. Not too much cheaper though, since acoustic pianos require maintenance. Good acoustic pianos are huge luxuries for most of us. The best ones shouldn't be compared to dps, all of which are still a small fraction of their price. So what is a fair comparison?
A $12k new upright vs a new $6k dp or hybrid dp - IMO this is a fair comparison for sound and action. Or say a $4k slightly used upright vs $2.5k new digital. In these comparisons, I would always prefer the dp, but if your personal taste demands an acoustic piano anyway, then that's what you must buy.
Very nice overview Stu, great insights and learnings about the differences between acoustic and digital instruments, thanks.
Hi! Brent here! Thank you for tuning in! We're glad you enjoyed it. :)
I started playing with digital (Kawai ES920) and it took me about 2.5 years to finally appreciate the difference. I just bought 1950s Ed. Seier upright and while being small, it delivers enormous volume and dynamic range. I had to place it to my warehouse where I don’t disturb anybody.
Thanks you so much Stu and Brent for creating so valuable and resonating content!
Hi! Brent here! You're very welcome! Thank you so much for the support. We appreciate it. Congrats on your ES920 and Eduard Seiler upright. It sounds like you have two awesome solutions for digital and acoustic piano playing. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
After trying many uprights, and undeniably influenced by the Stu's reviews, I purchased a Seiler ED-132. I find the tonal complexity intoxicating, even addictive. I still have a Roland RP 501R that I use at my parents' house, and when I move out of a tiny apartment, I hope to get a grand. That said, I can not imagine ever wanting to get rid of the Seiler upright such is the warmth and complexity of its tonal output. Thank you, Stu!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for writing in. Congrats on your Eduard Seiler ED132! They are amazing instruments with incredible specifications. The tonal nuance they are able to achieve is very impressive for their price point. We're happy to hear that you've been enjoying it. :)
@@MerriamPianos, while my use of “the” prior to Stu’s name is an error on my part, it does accurately reflect his singularity in the online piano reviewing field.
You are the best! Hello 👋 from Greece 🇬🇷
Thank you for your support! Hello from Canada! :)
I agree with everything you said. I have an acoustic upright piano and a stage piano that I use together with Pianoteq. Pianoteq has improved massively over the recent years but I still prefer to play on my upright if I just want to play. For recording I use the digital piano and Pianoteq, though. And one thing that would be very interesting for me is if you can get better results with vibration speakers than with usual speakers because I think that they’re at least almost omnidirectional.
Thank you for tuning in and sharing your insights! We appreciate it. It sounds like you have the best of both worlds going on. It is always great to have a nice digital and acoustic option at your disposal. :)
Beautifully explained 🏆
Thank you kindly! We're glad you enjoyed it. :)
THANK YOU for mentioning the soft pedal! I love practicing on my Kawai NV5S, I like the action, the sound is decent for it’s purpose and there are the conveniences of the digital piano you mentioned.
But I cannot understand why the soft pedal is just like an on-off mute switch. There is no possibility to naturally transition from una corda to tre corde, there is ALSWAYS a harsh break. It makes it virtually pointless to use.
I can see that a modelling of the left pedal would increase the amount of data and processing of the sound (maybe even exponentially if done properly), but we NEED at LEAST a “half left pedal” for top digital pianos in order for them to be usable.
You're welcome! It is a tricky thing to render in a digital piano. Modelling technology can likely help alleviate this, but it is a very tough thing to faithfully capture. Time will tell if the gap is able to be bridged in the digital piano world. :)
Soundwise, a digital will never be as good as an acoustic. There are other advantages in the digitals for most of us (price, zero maintenance, small footprint, connections, headphone capability etc). And even an average digital is much better than a badly maintained acoustic (and I have tried one lately). So both have their uses and I am glad both exist!
These are all excellent points of course! Thank you for sharing. :)
Digitals are NOT maintenance free. Contacts get dirty and wear out. Key grease dries out. Felt key strips wear and start letting key go “klunk”. Then there are the out and out electronics failures of active components like caps. Resistors, D to A converters and the like.
@@KayZee1957 You can play a digital for quite a few years in many cases and have no issues. An acoustic is going to need tuning (at the very least) several times over the same period.
@@KayZee1957 Yes, but they tend to last a long time before they really need service. At some point you are mostly looking for replacement rather than fixing as technology progresses as well and newer models feel and play better. It's a compromise. It will not last like an acoustic but still serves well.
Excellent statement regarding the virtues of the high-quality acoustic piano. My digital setup has a level of convenience I find satisfying, but it does not offer the texture, vibratory sensation, and control I can exercise on my past C3. You can paint with a digital program or with brushes, turps, and oils. Both can provide satisfying results, but the experience? One is one thing, and the other is all-encompassing.
Thanks so much for tuning in! We appreciate you taking the time to watch the video and share your thoughts/sentiments. I think your point is very well articulated. With that said, at the end of the day, it is all a matter of subjectivity and each player will have to make the decision as to which types of instruments suit their musical needs best. :)
Always great insight and details in explanation.
Thanks a million! :)
The two views: Digital vs. Acoustic are nice bookends. All well said.
Thank you kindly! Glad you enjoyed this video series! :)
I don't even have a premium piano, I have a kawai GL40 and I still haven't found a digital piano that can match it in sound. I get excited by tech and love digital pianos, but they're still not there yet and I don't know that they will get there for a long long time. Having said that, I look forward to digital pianos to keep getting better because I love having digital pianos as they offer so many convenient features.
Absolutely! Many players have both an acoustic and digital piano in their arsenal. That combination offers total flexibility and convenience. Also, I would argue that the Kawai GL40 is quite the premium instrument. It is an incredibly impressive piano. :)
Some of what you said, I think will eventually be resolved. Omni-directional speakers for instance. But your final point was by far the most powerful to me. Until that point, it was simply a list of technical contrasts, but then you got a distant look, your voice softened and I could see genuine affection as you remembered the feeling you'd gotten from the unique eccentricities of each piano. Ultimately, isn't that what we all play for, even at my novice level? The feeling? The emotion?
Absolutely! The emotional connection to our instrument and the pieces we play is really what it is all about. That magic is an intangible thing that is hard to quantify, but it is something we all chase as musicians. :)
@@MerriamPianos That was beautiful.
The technical challenges probably won't be resolved because a concert grand piano is an asymptote that speaker tech can only approach. To resolve it, you would need to recreate a piano with speakers, which may not be possible at all and will probably never be cost effective - my impression is top tier digitals today cost similarly to what they did 20 years ago in real dollars despite Moore's law etc. Just as a reality check, I've been playing digitals my whole life and have played some grand-style high end digitals lately. I played a 1984 Mason and Hamelin CC a few weeks ago. The digitals are. Not. Even. Close.
@@bigscores7237 I have no idea what a an "asymptote" means in this context, but I suspect that technology can achieve almost anything eventually.
@@Martial-Mat It means it can be approached but never reached. Technological development generally follows a curve, logarithmic in shape, that is extremely steep at first then quickly flattens out. For instance, in 1962 you could fly on a Convair 880 from LA to NY about an hour faster than you can today. There have been advances in aviation in the last 60 years, but they've mostly been at the margins, affecting safety and cost effectiveness.
I perceive a similar if less dramatic decline in the rate of improvement for digital pianos over the last 20 years. Today's digitals are clearly much better than those 2 decades ago. But they're not remotely close to even much older heavily used high-quality 7"+ grands.
Fully agree. And many thanks to Merriam Music for helping me have the opportunity of enjoying the piano of my dreams, the SK2. Everyday since its arrival, our home has been filled with music and joy.
Congratulations on your SK2! The Shigeru Kawai grands are amazing instruments that offer immense musicality. I know it will serve you well for many years to come. Enjoy! :)
I have a completely different experience when I play Yamaha C7. No digital piano (and I had quite a few) came even close.
I can certainly understand the sentiment! There is a particular magic to playing a really nice acoustic piano that is unparalleled.
A good 6 foot plus grand is a splendid thing to have. A dear friend of mine has a C7, and it performs immaculately. I still prefer the tawny growl I get from some German pianos, but I do love Japanese actions.
@@Zoco101 Those actions of Japanese pianos are usually lighter.
As always nice and useful review. 🙌❤ Whatever you have explained in this review is absolutely correct. I have played many expensive digital pianos but I never had satisfaction with the behaviour of action and tonal quality. As a pianist I feel Acoustic is an instrument and digital is a just substitute. Actually it’s always depends on the person to person any serious musician will be happy to use the acoustic. For a hobby musicians it won’t make big difference because and to judge the difference between acoustic and digital it requires a good musical ears and experience. In fact I prefer cheaper acoustic then an expensive digital piano because I have personally experience this many times. Now days companies like Pearl River/ Hailun and Samik makes decent entry level acoustic pianos and they are cost effective. some times we get better acoustic piano on cheaper price range and at least it can give real experience to the users. I believe every piano behaves different specially in cheaper acoustic piano categories. Any decent entry level acoustic piano can last longer than a digital pianos that’s what I feel. Acoustic pianos made from wood and metal and price of wood and metal goes up every year. The reason why I recommend decent entry level acoustic pianos over the expensive digital pianos to my customers. But every customer has a different mindset and usage considering that I give them advice. Digital has more advantage than an acoustic piano, User can do so many things with technology but it can’t give the real experience like an acoustic piano. Digital and Acoustic both have the pros and cons. As a piano player and piano specialist I feel some digital pianos are unnecessarily expensive, Especially pianos with the cabinet and hybrid pianos. Thanks! ❤❤❤
Thank you so much for sharing your excellent insights! I wholeheartedly agree with many of the sentiments you've expressed. Longevity, context of use, and a player's level of discernment are all things that should be considered when choosing between acoustic and digital pianos. With that said, there are many players that simply don't choose between the two. Instead, they get one of each to take advantage of the different things each option offers musically. Thanks again for tuning in and happy playing! :)
Instead of a kawaii 900 Digital Piano last Christmas I got a refurbished Yamaha U3 from the 80th for 6T€. And man, what a joy and a beautiful sound. Luckily I live in an old house with these 3,3 meters ceilings, so it has enough room to resonate and develop the sound.
That is great to hear! Congrats on your refurbished U3! They are solid, workhorse pianos that offer a great musical experience.
I totally agree. I have a very very nice Yamaha digital that I enjoy intensly. Yet, I really miss the dyamic range and rich sound of my 1988, 5'9" Young Chang grand that I sold when I immigrated to europe from the US a couple years ago.
For sure! Digital pianos offer a lot of convenience, but the real thing is the real thing of course. :)
Thanks Stu, I appreciate your clear explanations. Yes, it's not a contest.
I'm a Mechanical Engineer and a musician. While I can appreciate the 'magic' of electronics and SW, I love the fact that the piano is a machine. I sometimes wonder off in my mind about all the engineering and research across centuries that went into designing basically a hammer driven mechanical acoustic filter/amplifier.
I play guitar and have similar feelings. I love the electric guitar for all the effects available, lighter faster playing and it's greater dynamic range. But I enjoy playing my acoustic, partly because I physically feel the vibration of the instrument when I play. And the sound is just all over, not coming out a speaker. It's a machine. And yes, many times it sounds a little different, needs a little tuning and really changes with new strings. It's a machine.
But I appreciate and enjoy both guitars; they have different reasons to be.
I have started learning piano but probably will stick with digitals for a time. But I plan some day to own an acoustic; just because.
I've learned so much and been entertained by all your videos. Thank you.
Hi! Brent here! Thank you for watching and supporting our channel! We're happy to hear that you have been enjoying Stu's review/comparison videos. As a pianist and guitarist myself, I share your sentiments. I think both options offer different musical possibilities. Greater versatility and optimization of creative explorations are exciting things, so it should not be viewed as a contest. Acoustic and digital instruments are simply different tools for different jobs as far as I'm concerned. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Great points, thanks for sharing. I appreciate both digital and acoustics pianos for various reasons.
You're welcome! For sure! They are different tools for different jobs in many ways. :)
@@MerriamPianos I personally have a Kawai CX-21D upright and a Yamaha P35 digital. The chapel I serve has both a Baldwin SD6 (1964) and a Kawai E110 (with the 3 pedal attachment) each of the instruments serve their intended purpose well.
Probably one of the most memorable experience for me was playing on a new NY Steinway S it had a very light action. It felt like it could do anything I want it to. I personaly find my self struggeling a bit when playing a bigger piano probably because I practice on a portable digital, however I do appreciate the sound of the Hamburg Steinway B, and Mason & Hamlin CC I also tried before. I do agree with Stu's lightbulb analigy. A good acoustic just surrounds you with sound that a digital just can't do quite yet, and yeah I some times think if a high end digital breakes 20 or 30 years later are they even worth fixing or yet restoring? Never the less I'm truely greatfull to have access to best of both worlds with acoustic, and digital piaos🦊🎹🎶
These are all very great insights of course. Thank you for sharing! It is a very personal decision and context of use plays its part as well. Enjoying what both types of instruments have to offer is usually the best approach in my opinion. :)
Thank you! A great video to send to parents looking to get an instrument for children !!
You're very welcome! For sure. We try to help educate the piano community as much as possible to make sure they feel empowered when selecting the right piano for their needs. :)
Nothing like an acoustic grand! Stu, you were right in describing the differences between them & the digitals. The player/instrument connection cannot be compared. The pure organic sound cannot be reproduced like the notes & tones produced on an acoustic instrument. As a pianist, I made the sacrifice to upgrade years ago with no regrets.
Hi! Brent here! I agree with this sentiment. There are some great digital pianos on the market, but acoustic pianos possess a certain magic that is hard to replicate. Thanks for tuning in! :)
You asked about magical pianos and while these may not be magical they certainly stood out as something special that I always looked forward to playing. One was a Steinway upright in one of the practice rooms at university. Most rooms had workmanlike Yamaha P2C’s but grabbing the room with the Steinway meant a more joyful hour. The other piano was a Beosendorf that I got to play once a week. It was in a professor’s studio where I accompanied a sax player. The accompaniment score was horrid but putting up with it was worth getting to play that wonderful piano.
Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing! Those both sound like wonderful pianos that left a big impression on you. :)
My most recent WOW moment was playing Blüthner upright. I recalled Blüthner action being heavy. Also, that piano was below 48in (model D at 45in). It was maybe 5 years old. No caster. Not that it changes the sound but for the price, you would expect a minimum of features. I was blown away. I'm not a great pianist but I was sounding great. Even me playing scale sounded great. How such a small instrument could produce that quality level? Before, I was questionning the target market for high end brand small upright piano (
That is awesome to hear! It is not always a matter of size. There are some wonderful high-end studio uprights that are able to produce incredible tone. Also, some uprights do not feature casters because the piano would not be stable. There are a number of legless continental style cabinet designs that this is true of. Casters would be too risky and the weight distribution may cause the piano to tip.
@@MerriamPianos It's the case with the model D but why does it have to be so expensive. I know, you explained it in à previous video. I should ask why am I so poor? 😂
Always a pleasure to watch your reviews, but in this case I miss one point of reference in the comparison: Isn't the acoustic optimum of a digital piano experienced by listening with high quality headphones? Using headphones is also the most widespread use case, I guess. Stu once recommended those for the best acoustic experience with digital pianos, if I remember correctly. In my experience, even using some probably "just OK" older AKG 121, the feeling of immersion and perception of detail is much greater with headphones.
High quality headphones is certainly one way to enjoy the very best a digital piano has to offer. But, with that said, there are many digital pianos that have formidable speaker systems capable of an incredibly premium sonic experience. :)
I agree with all of your comments. Love the video. I really enjoy watching your piano and digital piano reviews and comparisons. You clearly have an outstanding ear. I'm amazed at what you're able to pick-out with respect to the sound of the instruments you review and it helps me learn more about what to listen for! So I was one of the guys who commented in your last video that I head for my grand piano 99 times out of 100 over my Kawai digital. My comment was perhaps a bit harsher than I intended, because my digital piano has some practicality and usefulness that the grand doesn't have. But still, whenever I play the digital, I often move over to the grand to hear how the piece "really sounds." My grand is a Steingraeber. I was originally looking for a 6' grand, but when I started trying out pianos, I discovered the difference in sound moving from a 6' to a 7' was amazing. So I ended up with a 7' Steingraeber. I tried out several that were really good including Fazioli, Steinway, Shigeru Kawai, Bluthner, and Bechstein. All were wonderful, but it was the Steingraeber that really grab me. Plus it's such a small, relatively unknown piano company with a long, great history. How can you not like having something a little unique!
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your feedback! Haha that is certainly fair. We don't hold harsh comments against you! It is nice to see such passionate debate from fellow piano enthusiasts. It is all a matter of subjectivity and personal opinion. Congrats on your Steingraeber! We're happy to hear that you've found a musical companion that you really connect with. All the best and happy playing! :)
its the "mojo" of each accoustic instruments that tied your soul
This is a very good point! Part of it is an intangible/sentimental thing. We become so familiar with the tiny imperfections of a specific instrument. They start to feel like home in a way that other instruments can't.
It's like every time I take a picture (even with full frame dslr and prime lenses) they are never close to what I actually convinced me to take the picture on the first place.
That is very well said. There is an undeniable magic to a really nice acoustic piano that is difficult to capture in a purely digital format. :)
I’m fortunate to have both, and while acoustic is better in most respects, the “problem” with my good digital + hi fi speakers is that the perfect regulation and tuning and finite VST velocity layers on the digital make me (an early intermediate player on a good day) sound much better than on my good studio upright, which lacks perfect regulation! it’s great to be able to alternate between them and to practice privately. Thanks for great video.
You're welcome! Thank you for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! We appreciate it. It is always best to have both options available. That gives you total flexibility. :)
I vividly remembered playing on a grand piano as a beginner in a showroom. The way how the sound flows can't quite be replicated the same way in a digital. Since then I've always wanted to get me at least an upright piano to experience the magic again.
I can totally appreciate that. When you experience the magic of a really nice acoustic piano, it is tough to feel the same level of satisfaction from a digital piano.
I guess you had complaints about your last video and it's really nice from you to make it clear here. One of the teacher in my music school just won't accept students with digital pianos ! Well, I think it's ridiculous,... how many students will stop after one year ? An acoustic piano is expensive, needs to be tuned every so often, makes it hard for the rest of the family,... I didn't understand you said digital is better than acoustic and I guess some people are a bit touchy about digital pianos, just like that teacher I mentioned.
One thing I experienced on a grand during an exam is the direction of the sound. That's something nobody often talk about. On a grand, open for the audience... the piano player actually doesn't hear very much because the sound goes toward the audience. My teacher said to me I played far too loud, but that's normal because I'm not used to play on an open grand. I'll train on a digital with sound at minimum for my next exam 😉
If your teacher said you're playing way too loud, then you should put on your headphones with the volume all the way up and the key touch set to soft. This will make your touch lighter really fast just to save your eardrums.
Our intention was always to release both videos! At the end of the day, there is no one "right" answer in the debate between digital pianos versus acoustic pianos. The "right" answer is the one that fits your specific needs best. :)
Thank you Stu. What would you consider the starting point for Premium acoustic from say Kawai and Yamaha?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I can't speak on behalf of Stu of course, but I think it is hard to argue that an instrument like a Kawai K300 or K400 does not offer a premium musical experience. :)
After a tuning of our 1909 Steinway there was a special upper c note that when played had a special shimmer.
It caused me to linger on the note, refiguring the playing my own composition. My piano, teaching me how to play my own piece!
I love that sentiment; "my piano teaching me how to play my own piece." Very well said! And I know exactly what you mean. Often times, we have to adapt to our instrument and where it wants to go musically. :)
Today I practiced my repertoire on my acoustic by the inspiration of this video
That is awesome to hear! A little extra inspiration is never a bad thing. :)
That almost certainly puts this debate to rest for at least the rest of my life. The ultimate test is to sit at a great piano and FEEL it. Even my childhood Behr Brothers upright had that quality although nowhere near like a good piano. BTW, I a, not speaking as an expert pianist but as lifelong listener. Even if you don't play you can feel and hear the difference.
There is a certain magic and nuance that is difficult to achieve in a pure digital piano. But, there are some interesting innovations coming out (such as soundboard systems) that are gradually bridging that gap. :)
@@MerriamPianos And they will be more than good enough for my needs. I will never be able to afford a piano needing a mortgage to finance and I will never play well enough to exploit the differences.
Really great description
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it. :)
A good quality digital piano should last a lot longer than ten years if looked after properly. Old school keyboards from the 1980s often still work fine today - they were built like tanks back then. Whether modern digital pianos / keyboards will last as long is a different question though.. The main risk is probably the action needing repair or capacitors needing replacement, but older digital keyboards are usually repairable..
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! It all comes down to context of use and how well the piano is cared for. High-end digital pianos can easily last 15-20 years, but, like anything, some basic maintenance or repair work may be required (e.g. sensor/contact replacement, etc.).
Very well put! Couldn’t agree more 👍
Thank you so much for watching! :)
I tried the new Roland LX6 - I was amazed -
That is awesome to hear! The new LX models are fantastic! :)
Hey Stu, could you do a video of addressing what kind of brand/types of acoustic pianos (whether upright or grand) lean more towards Jazz style of playing and fit that sort of character? Maybe there is no right answer but im curious for your opinion. Thanks!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you so much for the suggestion. I think a video series on what types of pianos would align with what genres/styles of playing would be quite interesting. I'll be happy to pass it along to our production team for you. :)
@MerriamPianos that would be amazing. I'd definitely look forward to that!
Thanks Stu, I think the piano today is not the same as it was 100 years ago. There is a big difference. It used to be in fairs and rich people's homes. Now it is in every home, the use has changed and the cost has changed, and therefore the sound and nature of the instrument have changed. It may be a kind of development that we have to be satisfied with.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for sharing. The accessibility factor is an important one of course. It is exciting to see more aspiring players have the opportunity to enjoy piano playing. :)
Thanks again Stu for your supreme explanation and well based comments one Pianos and music. I totally agree. Yes I Play like and use digital Pianos...(Kawai) But to be honest: my 1963 Steinway hast never left any disappointment over the Last 20 years.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing! I can certainly understand that sentiment. A really nice acoustic piano is capable of offering a special kind of musical magic. :)
Unless I managed to marry a beautiful songbird like Stu, I don't think I could get away with it.
I do love hearing both sides of the conversation. Just brought home a Roland FP-E50. Soon to upgrade headphones and purchase the Ravenscroft 275 VST.
Fortunately, my local piano store seems to be infinitely patient 😅
Congrats on your FP-E50! It is a powerhouse instrument with tons of fun features. I know you will be very pleased. :)
I'm glad you brought up the point about the soft pedal. Pianoteq goes a long way to addressing this issue (at least sonically), and I know that some sampled VSTs do also. Do they get it just right in your opinion?
You talked about the digital not being able to reproduce all of the partials properly, but was that speakers or direct signal?
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in and for the questions! I can't speak on behalf of Stu, but some of the VSTs do an excellent job at addressing the left pedal. As for the digital pianos not being able to reproduce all of the partials properly, I think that is a result of the combination of all sound production ingredients ultimately. In some cases, even the sampling process itself can't capture all of those sonic nuances.
Every point...well said.
Thank you kindly! We appreciate it. :)
my dream is to one day be able to rent or own a house so I can have a real piano in it
Our fingers are crossed that you are able to realize this dream soon. :)
I second your statement about the very (few) best digitals equaling the average upright (though, just in the last 3-4 years) , but, yes, there is no way that once you cross the critical 5'8" threshold that anything digital will beat it, as there is a massive change in the sound stage and dynamics at that point. But for normal uprights for, say, a classroom, practice room, or studio, the better digitals are fantastic for that. I think that in 20 years uprights simply won't be made as the market will have died for them. But for grand pianos, probably never will have a digital replacement.
I know what you mean about larger grand pianos. There is a beauty and magic that is difficult to capture digitally. It will be interesting to see where the piano industry goes in the coming years. But, with that said, I think every permutation of piano (i.e. acoustic upright, acoustic grand, digital, etc.) will have its place. One category may become more dominant over others however. :)
What do you mean, we cannot hear 12 partials of an A4 note? 440 x 12 = 5280 Hz, we can hear that and more!
I'm in my 60's and I found that I've lost a lot of my high freq. hearing even though I never abused my ears. I can barely hear 8K hz. in my left ear now and have a high pitch hum in both. I still love music but the quality of my sound perception has decreased.
I believe Stu was referring to a digital piano's inability to reproduce every partial that an acoustic piano generates.
10년넘게 piano vsti(100Gb over fullsize grand sample)로 만족스럽다고 생각하며 취미를 즐기고 있었지만 (잘 튜닝된) 어쿠스틱 업라이트 피아노를 들여놓은 이후,이런 업라이트에 불구 전방향으로 온몸을 휘감는, 손끝에서 만들어내는 아주 복잡하고 선명한 화음, 한음한음의 일체감은 2D에서 3D로의 변화처럼 새로운 차원이라는 걸 느낍니다 어쿠스틱은 연주자의 혼과 현재 지금의 지구의 공기와 진정한 일치를 맺어줍니다 , stu님의 과학적인 설명에 제가 왜 그렇게 느꼈는지 끄덕끄덕 적극동감합니다
Thank you so much for tuning in and writing in! The 2D versus 3D analogy is an excellent one in my opinion. There is an additional dimension at play with an acoustic piano experience for many players. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Let face it, a proper musician needs a proper instrument and the digitals are only compromised immitations. They can never be compared with the real thing. While grand pianos are costly, there are far more people today that can afford them compared to a hundred years ago. It's just that a lot of people don't have the space for it, or they can't manage the noise volume that the grand piano produces. It's ok that you have to compromise with your option. But let's not get a wrong idea that the digitals are going to replace the acoustics, or that to become a proper pianist you don't need to consider getting the acoustic.
These are all very relevant points that every piano shopper must ask themselves. It is a personal decision and there are a plethora of things to consider. But, I think most pianists would agree that there is a magic to a really nice acoustic piano that is hard to fully emulate. :)
Agree with both your's, and MerriamPiano's points🦊🎹🎶
you know what happened to the analog camera? Who makes nowedaya pictures with a analog camera? Never say never because you can't know.
@@abrahammulder WRONG and misleading analogy. It's like comparing digital TV and real painting. Digital camera takes over because it's one dimentional technology - i.e. visual representation - the digital screen is more convenient (than the darkroom) and when it became so good and accessible in all sizes, people switched over. But we do KNOW that digital camera won’t ever replace Real Paintings. Thus, digital keyboard/piano will never replace the real acoustic piano because the real instrument communicates to us in many visceral dimensions. In fact, electric violin and other digital instruments will never replace real instruments in an Orchestra. Drummers the world over still play real drums (and very unlikely to change anytime soon), etc.
You make valid points. There is a discussion to be had about instruments….
The electric guitar is an interesting one. While not a direct comparison, it is fair to say the the electric guitar was viewed with contempt from traditionalists when it first was developed And has now become an instrument own right.
perfect video.Simple truths about what is a piano.I get it ,that some people cant make any noise in their home and have to play with headphones on,so they need a digital.I also get it that a decent grand piano may be above some peoples budget.Thats why digitals are selling.Thats all fine but all these facts shouldnt confuse the issue about what is a piano.
Absolutely! There are different solutions for different customers based on their specific needs. Most importantly, piano is becoming incredibly accessible. :)
Why only expensive acoustic pianos can feel like "omnidirectional soundsources you feel real connection with when you play" and cheap ones can not🤔?
It is all a matter of subjectivity and personal preference. When it comes to pianos, beauty is always going to be in the ear of the beholder.
Hi Stu. I'm so grateful for all the advice and knowledge you have shared already, and I know you must get a lot of requests for "please make a video on this or that topic", but if I may.... given the limitations of digital pianos, and often the further limitations of the onboard speakers, I'm wondering if you might have any advice when it comes to selecting and utilizing monitors, amps, external speakers. Knowing this would be greatly influenced by the physical location/surroundings, I would specifically love to know what you would recommend for personal use in an average-sized living room. Basically, I'm wondering what options might help those of us who may never be able to have an acoustic piano at home, come a bit closer to the acoustic sound....and doing so without using headphones. Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this topic...and please forgive me if you've covered this elsewhere already. I'm a relative newbie and still working my way through many of your earlier videos.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for the suggestion! We have had a number of requests to tackle a video review/comparison on amps and studio monitors. I will be happy to pass it along to our production team. I know they do their best to tackle as many requests as possible, so hopefully that video will pop up on the channel one day. :)
Good video. This video references many times a digital v grand piano. A grand is out of the reach of 90%+ of most people. An interesting question is when is the best digital piano better than an upright taking into account the price may be similar......
Thank you! And that is a very good question indeed. Naturally, it will be a different answer for every player depending on their musical preferences. :)
If you have the room, the money, the neighbors, the discerning ear, the time and the professional need for a high-end grand piano, go for it.
If you're one of the multitudes who bought spinet pianos or other modest uprights, don't feel too bad about buying a digital keyboard that sounds good.
My own limited recent experience with acoustical and digital pianos, is that the digitals have a more solid sound in the bass.
That is a very good point! We often forget that, regardless of the form factor, the primary piano sound on a digital piano is typically a concert grand, which offers a far richer, clearer bass section than say an old spinet acoustic piano.
Sorry, I have played both & The Korg Nautilus German & Italian Grand piano's are just exceptional when compared to a great Grand, you would only know there's a difference if you watch it on a screen one against the other.
It is a matter of subjectivity of course. With that said, when hearing a digital piano and acoustic piano in the same environment, many discerning piano players can identify the difference sonically if blind folded. There is something to the manner in which sound is produced (i.e. soundboard/strings versus speakers) that gives an indelible signature to both digital and acoustic pianos.
Digital Pianos have improved over the years
Absolutely! The current digital piano models on the market are quite impressive in terms of the musical experience they are able to offer. :)
You just need to turn your cheap upright piano into a Una Corda piano, like a Klavins Una corda, or the Keybird piano. So, I agree with everything you said Stu, apart from the word Premium. I know that some upright piano are quite annoying and bulky, but all you need to do is to buy a cheap upright piano and 1) Remove the second and third string from every note, 2) Remove all the bulky unnecessary wood panels (up and down), make it lighter and naked, 3) Detach the piano a bit from the wall. These are the simple steps. Digital pianos are good only with headphones, but no speakers can beat an acoustic piano. The Una corda solution also will make your acoustic piano less loud, and your neighbours will thank you.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for the tips! While that is a labour intensive process, I can certainly understand how it would solve some issues that acoustic pianos present for some piano players. Thanks for tuning in and sharing! :)
@@MerriamPianos Well, no labour required, anybody can do it, with a bit of guidance.
Maybe you guys should have led with this video! 😂. Nice info. Nothing beats a beautiful acoustic piano
Our plan was to release both in order to cover both perspectives as part of a mini series.
Just ask: WWCD? (What Would Chopin Do?) I’m pretty sure he would have a digital if he were around today but he would, ultimately, prefer an acoustic.
Haha that is always an excellent question to pose! ;)
Why has Stu not REVIEWED the Nord stage 4 or Piano 5?
We are not Nord dealers, so it is a bit tougher to tackle reviews of their models. With that said, if the opportunity presents itself, we will do our best to feature some Nord models on the channel. :)
I started learning piano late in life! I've just passed my grade 4 and currently have a Roland LX-7 Digital Piano. I'm looking to get a new piano and I've got a budget of around $15,000 - $16,000. In your opinion would this be better spent on an acoustic or digital piano?
Hi! Brent here! That is very exciting. Congrats on your progress up to this point! It really comes down to whether you have any sonic restrictions in your living situation. With that budget, you could purchase some very nice acoustic uprights and grands. For me, I would gravitate towards an acoustic piano as there is a magic and nuance that they are able to provide, which is quite difficult to fully experience via a digital piano.
@@MerriamPianos Thank you so much for your reply, very appreciated :)
I think Stu got a call from Bechstein after the digital piano clip.
Haha no that was not the case! We planned to release both videos all along as a mini series. ;)
what do you think about hybrids with mechanic soundboards, like kawai k600 with aures or anytime?
and what do you make of these as midi controllers (for the clavier only and midi out) in comparison to a dedicated one, say native instruments s88 mk ii ?
i find myself wanting to play with pedals (including sostenuto) whilst exploring synths or other vst', but surely my desires are niche here.
would love to learn from your perspectives, including you, Stu ; )
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Personally, I am a massive fan of the K Aures 2 series instruments. That transducer/soundboard technology is quite impressive. The addition of the soundboard on models like the CA901 and NV5S also adds incredible depth and warmth that speakers just can't accomplish on their own in my opinion. As for the MIDI controllers conversion, it all comes down to the action. There are many digital pianos that have superior actions and sensor systems to dedicated MIDI controllers in my opinion.
@@MerriamPianos nice to meet you, Brent, and thanks for the intel! i thought so about the midi, but i'll check out some models in a local kawai store for sound(boards).
Hi...love your channel. I have a question i hope you can answer. I have the MP11SE already, but my son is wanting an acoustic for the house. I was thinking a good used upright. Can you please suggest a few models i can look at that would sell for around $3k as used? I am partial to Kawai, but the K500 I really want is out of reach. LOL. Much appreciated.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for supporting our channel. We appreciate it immensely. :)
In terms of suggestions, I am not sure what currency you are referencing (USD? CAD? etc.). Here in Canada, you can find some excellent used Kawai and Yamaha models from the 80s and 90s around that price category. With that said, if you're looking to get something newer, you will likely have to increase the budget a bit to the $4000-5000 range. If you're a fan of the K500, I would recommend trying to find a good deal on a used K2 / K200 or K3 / K300. They are incredible pianos that offer that quintessential Kawai warmth and a wonderfully responsive touch.
@@MerriamPianos Thanks Brent! I am in the States BTW.
If I were to replace my Roland it would be with something superior such as a Steinway. If only my bank account were superior.
That is certainly fair! There is a hefty premium attached to high-end acoustic pianos of course.
Acoustic over digital for charm, lifetime longetivity and overall sound for sure.. Just curious.. What upper midrange piano from Kawai did you compare the novus to ? GX or SK ? .. looks like an SK ..Wouldn't a comparison between a novus and a SK mean the SK would be a top tier acoustic from Kawai ?
That is certainly fair! The piano that was being used as a comparison was a GX3 if I recall. :)
@@MerriamPianos do check what exact piano those readings were from, a GX or SK..Because if I was an SK then like Stu mentioned the novus may just be over shadowing a lesser range of grand pianos too!
Positives, better sound tonaly and responce. Negatives, no headphones option, obviously, no line out or midi and paying out to have it tuned and serviced regurlarly. Biggest thing of all, space. Especialy when it comes to a grand piano.
However, if I had the space and lived in a place away from neighbours, and had the cash. Then yes, I would definately have an accoustic.
For sure! There are also hybrid pianos that offer a best of both worlds solution too of course. There are lots of options and possibilities on the market. :)
Both acoustic and digital are physically and operationally different. So is their purpose. I think the comparison is unfair. I am a pianist. I have an acoustic piano and a synthesizer. It is better to make a comparison of the same type of acoustic piano. Likewise with digital.
Please use the apple to apple comparison principle.
They are certainly different tools for different jobs. I very much agree that they are not an apples to apples comparison by any stretch. Nonetheless, it is an interesting topic to hear everyone's thoughts on. :)
The comparison between acoustic and digital pianos is probably of interest for many players, -certainly me-, who can't use an acoustic for different reasons, like circumstances or price. Particularly for classical piano music, of course I want my digital to be as close as possible to an acoustic one.
So true!
Thank you for watching !:)
Estoy totalmente de acuerdo .he de decir que prefiero un buen piano digital que un mal acustico. Por ejemplo la mayoría de verticales . Por un precio menor o igual el digital suena mucho mejor . Más parecido a un piano acustico de cola o media cola . Eso si a un piano de gama media acustico media cola en adelante no hay comparacion posible
Absolutely! The price point and quality level of each will factor into the decision ultimately. That is a good point! :)
También digo que un digital con mueble es diferente a un digital con salida solo out . La sensación de estar tocando un piano es diferente .con mueble la experiencia es distinta siempre estás detrás de un piano .esa es la sensación . Y como que las teclas son mas pesadas no sé algo así
Las salidas out no se siente igual y dios sabe los altavoces que 😮tiene cada uno .
Después de 30 años tocando pianos digitales que salida out y pianos de cola en los hoteles lo puedo decir .es por eso que compré el gp3 .me hubiese gustado poder comprar el gp6 o algo así pero mi casa es pequeña para ello .
Well... Is the "better" the "best" word here? What is the best piano? Is it's sound? This discussion about partials measured with an oscilloscope reminds me about the same discussion about the feel of a bike made of steal frame, Stradivarius resonance , tube amps, vinyl records, Hi res audio, etc... and when you do blind test people generally fail . Anyway, everyone has the right to believe in whatever they want. I confess I already was an audiophile in the past but I recovered from that illness.. I believe that the flag ship digital pianos can deliver not only a undeniable "real timber", but with those hybrid ones with top keybeds, the latest high tech stuff, they can put you in a concert hall, cathedral, studio, with tune and temperament as you wish when you wish with the touch of a button or two. So "better" is not the best word here. If you believe you can really hear or feel all the partials and everything else discussed in this video, yeah... go for nothing less than a Steinway class D, Bosendorfer Imperial, Fazioli F308, Bechstein 272, etc... and be happy! ;-)
edit: Yamaha, U1, 2, 3 and alike or the grandmother's upright piano don't count, in this case, please, get yourself a digital one
Thank you for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! There may be an element of a placebo-effect in some cases. But, I think most discerning piano players would be able to tell the difference between an acoustic piano and digital piano sonically if played in the same room in front of them. Maybe I'm wrong about that though! This would make for a very compelling video. I'll pass the idea onto our production team. :)
If I invest the same money that a premium acoustic piano costs in HI-FI system, i.e. high end speakers, amplifiers, I am very sure I can get much better piano sound quality from digital piano!
While that would help bridge the gap, it is tough to capture the same magic that a wooden soundboard and vibrating strings can produce. :)
The truth is... everybody would have the acoustic if we had the room or could afford the maintenance and volume of sound. For us average people, digital is good enough. 😀
Absolutely! If I had a manor and 350k lying around, I’d get a Steinway or Bechstein and I’d certainly love the experience, but I have a normal house with people in it that don’t want to hear me practicing the same 4 bars of a Chopin Nocturne for an hour, so I have a CA901 (which I love) and enjoy playing it with headphones and without once in a while.
Eh, digital has its benefits.
You can have many sounds at your disposal all on the same keyboard, whether they're included natively or you have external software. Digital pianos are also MIDI-friendly, which is great for recording.
I think that is fair to say for the vast majority of piano players. With that said, the ability to change and layer different instrument sounds is unique to digital pianos of course. So, there are some situations where a digital may be the preference depending on context of use.
@@cedmelancona number of acoustic makers now do pretty good acoustic/digital pianos, aka ‘silents’. Feurich, Yamaha, Steinway (PianoDisc system) and Kawai come to mind. The best entry point is probably the Kawai K-15E, IMHO.
The weak point of digital pianos, and especially organs, is the speakers and amplifiers. They simply cannot reproduce all the sounds you should be hearing, or the overtones and vibrations that are there but so subtle that they are more the part of the overall experience than anything explicitly heard. The other factor is the unending march of technology. Electronic instruments are constantly evolving and as they age they deteriorate. My Roland digital won’t survive into a fine old age like my Kawai grand will.
That is definitely true. Digital pianos are not quite there yet. They are able to capture a lot, but there are some sonic nuances that cannot be fully captured and rendered. Time will tell if that gap is bridged further. :)
But... Really anyone can think that a novus (one of the better digital pianos) could be better than a stainway d or a Yamaha cxf or Bechstein Concert 8 or....
Mon dieu!
Beauty is in the ear of the beholder of course! It all comes down to subjectivity and opinion. :)
Your listed limitations of digital pianos are all technical problems that can and will be overcome. Which law of physics prevents a speaker system from sounding 12 overtones? Acoustic piano designs are stuck in time and haven’t changed substantially in a century, but digitals continue to improve. Also, your comparisons are only valid for properly regulated and tuned acoustic pianos. In my experience most pianos do not receive the regular maintenance they need due to increasing costs and a decreasing supply of experienced piano technicians. Sorry, but the future is digital.
Naturally, we don't know what the future holds, but, in its current form, there are a multitude of sonic limitations when it comes to digital pianos. Firstly, the number of specific gradients of velocity/dynamics is quite limited considering that MIDI operates on a 0-127 scale. Furthermore, acoustic pianos are sounding infrasonic and ultrasonic frequencies that, while not heard by the human ear (due to the limited range of 20-20,000 Hz). Some players suggest that these frequencies can be "felt" physically and interact with the other frequencies we can perceive in a way that affects the overall sonic experience of the instrument. There are also limitations when it comes to the capabilities of a small diameter electromagnetic speaker. It is possible that digital instruments will "get there," but they are not quite there yet by my estimations.
One is music production and the other is really music reproduction when you get down to it
For sure! I think that is a fair assessment. With that said, digital pianos are slowly evolving into something distinct from an acoustic piano. Opposed to being merely an emulation, it is becoming a separate instrument with distinct musical possibilities.
I've heard that even a not so good acoustic piano has advantage on dynamics, because when you practice on a digital, you rarelly go blasting it and when one eventually has to play an acoustic, you tend to shy away from real fortissimo, because it's too loud compared to usual output of a digital one.
Last time I played on a (baby) grand, it was out of tune (which is more common than most people would like to admit) and I don't really know if that was the reason, but a bass octave started to undulate so strongly, I almost had to stop playing out of perplexity. I don't even know if those particular keys were out of tune, I guess such wild beating wouldn't occur if they were more than slightly out of tune. Anyway, now when I play Pianoteq, I always set the random weariness to halfway or so and often change the random seed to get random imperfections every time.
That is very true. The way in which people practice on a digital piano may impact the way they tackle/approach performing certain types of dynamics. That is a very good point and one that digital players should be mindful of! And simulated imperfections can certainly be a helpful way to capture more authenticity from VSTs. :)
A 20k digital is finally better than a free acoustic. It only took 100 years.
Better late than never I suppose. ;)
They are still a lot more hassle to _record_ 😏
That is a good point as well. For recording/production use, acoustic pianos are certainly more difficult to deal with. However, the extra difficulty can very much be worth it given the nuance and magic an acoustic piano is capable of producing.
I really like your video's, but please don't use AI to enhance the sound. It sounds so artificial!
Thank you! I don't believe we are using AI enhancements. We try to capture and present the tone as faithfully as possible. With that said, it is hard to do without some compromise when compressing things down into a video for TH-cam.
Ask my wallet which one is better
Haha that is a fair statement!
A no brainier. Unless you have not been exposed to proper pianos!
A really nice acoustic piano is difficult to compete with musically of course. With that said, digital pianos offer features and conveniences that acoustic pianos do not.
@@MerriamPianos small, headphones capable.
Basically in 20 years acoustic Pianos will be estinct
I don't think that will necessarily be true. There may be fewer piano manufacturers that survive the shift to digital, but premium acoustic pianos will still be a thing in my estimations.
Most probably not! Now, try to play a digital piano when there is a power outage… I happen to play a Yamaha CF6 and also own a Casio digital. And there is absolutely no comparison.
The weak point of digital pianos, and especially organs, is the speakers and amplifiers. They simply cannot reproduce all the sounds you should be hearing, or the overtones and vibrations that are there but so subtle that they are more the part of the overall experience than anything explicitly heard. The other factor is the unending march of technology. Electronic instruments are constantly evolving and as they age they deteriorate. My Roland digital won’t survive into a fine old age like my Kawai grand will.
That is definitely true. Digital pianos are not quite there yet. They are able to capture a lot, but there are some sonic nuances that cannot be fully captured and rendered. Time will tell if that gap is bridged further. :)
Can’t you take the digital output via usb into a good DAC and high- end stereo ?